As mothers and fathers file into San Luis Obispo this weekend, a different kind of Papa will take the stage at the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center (PAC). Comedian Tom Papa will provide Mustang Family Weekend entertainment with his 8 p.m show on Friday, Oct. 23.
Papa, who will perform to a sold-out auditorium, began his career more than 20 years ago when he was chosen to be the opener on Jerry Seinfeld. It was an apt pairing, because both comedians practice a similar brand of comedy, according to Cal Poly Arts Director Steve Lerian. Since then, Papa has appeared on Comedy Central specials, plenty of late night talk shows and several movies in addition to maintaining his stand-up career.
“They’re in the same genre of observational humor,” Lerian said.
Like Seinfeld, Papa is known for taking mundane or even cliché topics and making them entertaining with a fresh perspective.
Lerian booked Papa to perform Friday with the intention of the show coinciding with Mustang Family Weekend.
“His humor appeals to a wide range of age groups,” Lerian said.
The PAC website suggests audience members should be older than 13, but Lerian was confident that just about anyone should be completely comfortable attending.
“We’ve asked him to keep it PG, so it (should not) offend anyone,” he said.